Skate with spring loaded coupling mechanism



Aug. 24, 1965 R. J. GOODMAN SKATE WITH SPRING LOADED COUPLING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 15, 1964 Aug. 24, 1965 R. J. GOODMAN 3,202,434

SKATE WITH SPRING LOADED COUPLING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR. ROBER7' :1 6000444 1965 R. J. GOODMAN 3,202,434

SKATE WITH SPRING LOADED COUPLING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 N VEN TOR. ROBERT J. 6000mm United States Patent This application is a continuation-in-par-t of my pending applications S.N. 132,803, filed Aug. 21, 1961 and now abandoned, for Skate With Spring Loaded Coupling Means, and SN. 216,193, filed Aug. 10, 1962 and now abandoned, for Improvements in Skate With Spring Loaded Coupling Mechanism.

This invention relates to skates such as roller skates and ice skates and has as its general object to provide an improved skate platform construction embodying quickly operable clamping means (eg. for attaching the skate to a wearers shoe).

More specifically, the invention is directed to a skate platform having spring-loading coupling means for attaching the platform to a shoe.

The invention aims particularly to provide, in a skate or the like, spring-loaded shoe-clamping means which has substantially uniform tenacity in gripping shoes varying over a substantial range of shoe sizes; i.ev a clamping means that is as effective in clinging to a shoe of smaller size as in clinging to a shoe of larger size within the range of sizes for which the skate is designed.

To this end, the invention provides, in a skate or the like, a shoe-coupling means embodying a platform having an adjustable-length sectional bridge, in combination with a pair of opposed coupling jaws including a springloaded coupling jaw which is mounted on one of the sections of the bridge so as to recede in response to pressure applied to it, to accommodate the insertion of a wearers foot between the opposed coupling jaws or the removal of the foot therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a spring-loaded coupling means adapted to effectively couplc the skate to a shoe of leather or other relatively stiff construction, or to a shoe of limp structure such as a tennis shoe, or even to the bare foot of a wearer, in a manner such as to enable the wearer to effectively use the skates thus coupled to his feet, in a skating operation.

A further object is to provide a skate platform having automatically releasable coupling means for releasing a skate from a skaters foot in response to Contact with an immovable obstruction, for protecting the skater from inury.

A further object is to provide an improved skate platform construction embodying a novel and improved adjustable-length bridge connecting a toe platform section to a heel platform section, providing for adjustment of the skate to feet of varying sizes within a selected range.

A further object is to provide an improved skate platform embodying such an adjustablelength bridge, in combination with a spring-loaded coupling jaw or clamp member which is adapted to recede in response to pressure applied to it, to accommodate the insertion of a wearers foot between the opposed coupling jaws of the mechanism or the removal of the foot therefrom.

A further object is to provide a skate having a positivelocking, non-slipping adjustment mechanism.

EZMAM Patented Aug. 24, 3965 A still further object is to provide a skate platform having the above-mentioned improved features embodied in a construction combining the desirable characteristics of relative simplicity, low cost of manufacture, extreme sturdiness, and durability.

Other objects will become apparent in the ensuing specifications and appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roller skate embodying the improved platform construction of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational View of the same;

FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the skate looking forwardly as indicated by the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view along the major longitudinal axis of the skate;

FIG. 6 is an inverted plan view of the skate with the wheel mounts removed;

FIG. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the skate looking forwardly as indicated by the line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the skate looking rearwardly as indicated by the line 8-3 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a side eleva-tional view of a skate embodying the invention in a modified form, parts being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 10 is an inverted roller mounts removed;

FIG. 11 is a rear end view of the same;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the same, taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 13 is a detail sectional view of the screw lock, on an enlarged scale.

plan view of the same, with GENERAL DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIGS. 1-8 of the drawings in detail, I have shown therein, as an example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, a roller skate embodying a skate platform mounted upon convention-a1 roller mounts A and B which per se constitute no part of the present invention. The platform structure comprises, in general, a pair of coupling elements each embodying a respective plat-form section and a shoe-engaging jaw, the toe unit being indicated generally at D and the heel unit at E; and an extensible bridge C joining the respective toe and heel platform sections and adjustable to vary the effective length of the platform (eg, the distance between the respective toe and heel units D and E). A clamp screw 42 (or lock unit FFIGS. 9-13) is used to lock the bridge at any selected length.

One of the platform sections is mounted on a corresponding section of bridge C for longitudinal sliding movements to accommodate opening and closing of the jaws to receive and release a wearers shoe. This slidable platform section is spring-loaded toward a retracted position of minimum spacing from the opposed plat-form section, and from this normally retracted position it can be moved away from the other platform section by pressure applied to it by an extremity of the wearers shoe inserted therein. A number of advantages in operation and use of the platform structure are obtained by providing this slidable spring-loaded mounting in the forward or toe unitas will be explained more fully hereinafter.

I fastener elements are'extended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIO I 7 Roller supportsA and B are of conventional construction, each including a pair of roller wheels having bearingjournals r-otatably mounted upon the respective ends of an axle16 mounted in a saddle 17 having at its upper side, spaced centrally apertured mounting lips 18 by means of which the respective mounts are attached to the respective ends of the platform structure, with interposed cushioning blocks 19 of compressible yielding materialfsuch as soft IUbbBI' OI- its equivalent. T-her'e'are central apertures in mounting lips 18, through which wardly and rearwardly respectively) from the respective Bridge C comprises a pair of telescoping bridge sections of rectangular (e.g. square) box-beam cross-section consisting, of a forward external beam section and a rearward internal beam section 26, the forward end portion of which is telescoped into the rearward end portion of the forward beam section 25. Referring now to FIG. 4, the rear beam section 26, in cross section, comprises a bottom web 28, vertical side panels. 29 rising from web 28, and inturned'rnarginal lips 30 at the top, defining be. tween them alongitudinal slot 31 extending substantially the full length of the. beamsection 26. Forward beam section 25 comprises a bottom web 32 having a slot 33 (FIG. -6) extending longitudinally in the rear half of the ramps 45 are spaced pairs of mounting ears 49, 50 struck respectively from apertures 51 in respective ramps 45 and apertures 52 in respective ends ofbottom webs 28 and 32.

Wheel mounts A'and B are yieldingly secured to the respective ends of the beam C by fastener'bolts 53 extending through apertures inthe mounting units 49, 59, through the apertures in mounting lips 18 of the wheel mounts, and through grooves (not'shown) in the cushion blocks 19.

The U-fiange structureat the forward end of beam sec- Y tion 25 comprises the central web 46 and respective slide flanges 55 integral therewith and extending rearwardly' therefrom. Flanges 55 are bent outwardly from and integrally joined to the top margins of side panels 34 of beam section 25. Slide-flanges 55 terminate, at their rear I ends, adjacent the forward ends of inturned margin lips beam section, a pair of vertical side panels 34 rising from bottom web 32, a pair of marginal lips 35 turned inwardly from the upper margins of side panels 34, and a pair of slide bearing tabs 36 (FIG. 8) bent downwardly fromthe rearextremities of lips 35 and in bearing engagement with the inner edges of the marginal lips 39 of rearward beam section 26.

A longitudinal slot 37 is defined in the forward bea section 25 between the inner margins of its slide lips 35. An anchor hook 38 is bent downwardly from the inward gral upwardly stamped collar in the bottom. web 28, ,in-

ternallythreaded to mate with the screw 40). Screw 40 has a knurled head 42 for engagement by the fingers to loosen and tighten the connection between the two beam sections. Afspring-lock washer 43, or equivalent locking means,.is utilized to prevent loosening of the screw under vibration. As shown, the lock washer43 isinterp'o'sed between head 42 and the bottom web 32 of beam section 25;

Alongside one margin of the slot 33 in bottom web 32, is a foot-sizing scale 44 (FIG. 6) die-stamped in the external surfaceof the web 32 at that side. Foot sizes (or [shoe sizes) are indicated by the numerals of this scale, making it possible to accurately adjust the beam C to just the right length to provide exactly the right amount of spring-loaded extension of the toe unit D for. that size of the foot or shoe.

The beam sections 25 and 26, at their respective outer ends (FIG. 5) are formed withrespective ramps 45 ex- For-ward couplingunit D comprises a platform section 6%? consisting of a flat sheet metal plate having at its forwardend an integral downturned lip 61 'engageable with the'web flange as of forward beam section 25, to function as a stop in limiting rearward spring-loaded sliding Inovement of the toe unitD. V

A series of laterally spaced paired slide elements are struck downwardly from the respective side margins of platform'plate 60, these elements including a forward marginv of one'of the lips 35 of'forward beam section 25,

pair of lateral bearing tabs 62, a pair of elongated slideways 63 of L -section, a rearward pair of lateral bearing tabs 64, and a rearward pair of relatively short slideways 65 0f L-section, all struck downwardly out of respective 1 slots in the platform plate 60. Tabs 62 and 64 are s'trai'ght vertical tabs, having bearing engagement with the respective side edges of slide flanges 55. Slideways 63 and 65 are spaced somewhat further apart than tabs 62 and 64, anddo not engage the side edges of slide flanges 55, but do engage the undersurfaces of slide flanges with their inwardly projecting arms 66. Thus thevertical tabs 62, 64 provide for secure lateral positioning with free-sliding coupling, and the slideways 63, 65' provide secure vertical positioning with free-sliding coupling, be-

tween the toe platform section and the forward beam section, with substantially complete elimination of lateral and vertical play'between these coupled members, and at the same time avoiding any binding or other frictional resistance to the sliding movements. The solid slide bearing engagements between the vertical surfaces of tabs 62,

tending diagonally upwardly toward their end extremities 64 and slide flanges 55 -(side margins thereof) on the one hand, and the horizontal surfaces of slideways 63, 65 and flanges 55 respectively, onthe other hand, is quite important in attaining free sliding movement of the toecoupling unit in response to toe pressure, for quick, easy attachment and removal of the skate from the shoe; while, on the other hand, the substantially complete absence. ofplay between these coupled members is ex-i tremely important for proper control of the skate through the foot during skating operations'wherein high loads, both vertical and horizontal, are transmitted between the foot and the wheel mounts, through the coupled members of the platform.

In the center of toe platform 65 struck downward= ly from an openingtherein, is a forward spring anchor loading between the toe unit D and the forward beam section, but leaving the rear beam section 26 completely free of such spring loading, so that the length-adjustment of the beam C can be accomplished easily, without any resistance, when the clamp screw 42 is loosened. Immediately forwardly of anchor lug 7b, toe platform 6%, on its longitudinal axis, is provided with a stop lug '75 which is struck downwardly from the rear side of an aperture in a position to engage against the ramp 45 to limit forward sliding movement of the platform so when the toe unit E is being extended for insertion or removal of a wearers shoe.

Secured to toe platform 69 is a toe jaw (stirrup) Sit of stamped sheet metal having at its forward end a central opening 81 through which the forward end of a pointed shoe toe can project, and having the lower marginal portions of its respective sides bent inwardly in a common horizontal plane to provide marginal flanges 82 which are spot welded (or riveted) or otherwise equivalently secured to the underside of the platform 66 along the arcuate forward side margins thereof. The stirrup 80 is fabricated by transversely forming into arch-shape, a transversely elongated sheet metal blank the ends of which are bent under to constitute the attachment flanges 82 which are spot-welded to the underface of platforms 6%. The respective sides of stirrup Stl may be provided with cutaway apertures as shown, for eliminating excess metal to attain lightness, but without any operative function. The front opening 1 is formed by the upward arching of the metal.

In respective side regions of toe platform ea are downwardly embossed reinforcing beads 83 which add longitudinal rigidity to overcome the tendency of the forward end of the toe platform as to become permanently sprung upwardly when the front end of the skate encounters an unyielding obstruction. Lateral rigidity is assisted by the flanges 82 and their welded connection to the toe plat form.

The heel coupling unit E comprises a heel platform 85 in the form of a fiat sheet metal plate with a channel 84 embossed downwardly along its major axis for a majority of its length, and received in the longitudinal slot 31 of rear beam section as; and a heel jaw 86 in the form of a strap the lower ends of which are bent under to form tabs 37 that are welded to the under faces of the side extremities of platform $5. The jaw 85 is transversely arched upwardly, and has a top central web portion 89 which is sloped upwardly and forwardly to overhang the heel of a skaters shoe, an opening 99 being defined by the rear edge of the jaw 37 through which the lower portion of the shoe heel may project as inidicated in phantom at iii. in FIG. 5. The central area of platform 35 is secured, as previously stated, to the anchor wings 47 of the rear end portion of rear beam section 26.

OPERATION Briefly reviewing the operation of my improved skate platform mechanism, the skater may attach the skate to his shoe by a slip-on operation in which he grasps the rear end of the skate in one hand, inserts the toe of the shoe beneath the toe jaw stirrup 88, then presses the toe forwardly against stirrup St) while restraining the remainder of the skate (as by pressing front wheels against an obstruction or by pulling rearwardly against the rear end of the skate). When first inserting the toe under the stirrup till, the rear portion of the foot is bent upwardly with the heel clearing the jaw 85, 89. When the toe jaw unit D has been shifted forwardly, the foot may be straightened, bringing the heel downwardly into contact with the heel platform The toe pressure against jaw unit D is released during this last stage of operation, permitting the loading spring 71 to draw the jaw sections D, E toward closed telescoping relation, drawing the heel jaw 85, 89 snugly into coupling engagement with the heel and drawing the toe stirrup 8t} snugly around the toe, with the two jaw units D, E firmly gripping the shoe between them.

To release the shoe from the platform, it is only necessary to pull rearwardly on the rear end of the skate (or to tilt the skate upwardly at the heel while exerting downward pressure against the toe of the platform and to then lift the skaters heel to free it from the heel jaw 86, 89, whereupon the spring 71 will draw the jaw sections D, E into closed telescoping relation and the toe may be slipped rearwardly out of the toe stirrup 86.

Automatic release in response to contact of the front wheels against an unyieldable obstruction, is provided for by having the front wheels arranged to project forwardly of the front end of toe-coupling unit D, so that the skaters momentum, applied to the toe coupling unit D, will shift the latter forwardly while further forward movement of the wheel unit A is blocked, thus effecting release of the heel from heel-coupling unit B. The skate will thus be released from the foot, avoiding injury to the skaters foot.

MODIFIED FORM-FIGS. 9-13 In FIGS. 9-13 there is shown a skate embodying largely the same features as those disclosed in FIGS. 18, as indicated by corresponding reference numerals. In addition, this skate embodies the following improvements:

Locking unit F comprises a locking screw dtl having a head 42 in the form of a serrated knob and a frustoconical shank 43a having a diameter substantially greater than that of screw 40 and a height approximately equal to but not greater than the thickness of bottom web 32. Head 42 has a squared annular shoulder 56. In the web 32 is a longitudinally extending slot 33a defined by a defined by a series of circular apertures 57 interconnected by gaps 67, pairs of opposed truncated pointed teeth 68 being defined by the margins of apertures 57 and gaps 67. Screw 4t projects through slot 33a and is threaded into a collar 41:; struck upwardly from web 28. Shoul der 56 is adapted to seat flatly against web 32. Circular apertures 57 have a diameter just slightly larger than the diameter of screw shank 43a so as to receive the shank freely but sufficiently snugly so that the shank will be confined between adjacent pairs of locking teeth 68 to prevent longitudinal movement between the bridge sections. The gaps 67 have a width just slightly greater than the diameter of screw 4t), so that, by backing off the screw to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 13, the squared shoulder 69 defined at the inner end of shank 43a will clear the web 32 and the screw may pass through one or more of the gaps 67 to locate the shank 43a in registration with another of the apertures 57. When it has been so located, with the bridge sections extended or retracted to a selected shoe-sizing spacing, the screw may be threaded inwardly in collar 41a so as to couple the shank 43a in the selected aperture 57. The screw is tightened until head 42 is clamped against beam web 32, locking the screw against unthreading movement.

Rear mounting ear 4% consists of the rear portion of rear ramp web 45, full width, for maximum strength, cut away from the side walls 29, and bent downwardly. The upper margin of the rearmost mounting lip 13 is straight, normally horizontal, and in downwardly-spaced, adjacent relation to the under surface of ramp web 45 just forwardly of the bend, the spacing being such that a corner of this lip 18 will contact said under surface upon extreme lateral tilting of heel platform 85', to limit the tilting movement.

In my improved skate, the spring-loaded jaw provides for instantaneous insertion and release of a shoe with respect to the skate and for spring-loaded retention of the shoe or foot between the clamping jaws. The slidable mounting of the spring-loaded jaw upon one of the two bridge sections, together with the provision for shoesizing adjustment between these sections and for locking the sections to one another in selected shoe-sizing posiloaded shoe clamping action of the jaws in all positions.

of shoe-sizing adjustment. Thus, in each position of shoe-sizing adjustment, the jaws will engage the shoe or footwith adequate clamping action to avoid loss of the skate from the foot, and at the same time the clamping action will not be so severe as to cramp the foot or cause discomfort.

I claim:

1. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising an inner beam section; an outer box-beam section in which said inner beam section is slidably telescoped; mobile supports carrying the remote ends of said beam sections; said outer beam section having a bottom web in bearing engagement with the bottom of said inner section and having in said bottom web a longitudinally extending series of pairs of laterally opposed pointed, truncated teeth collectively defining a longitudinally extending slot therein, the side margins of said teeth defining respective segmental circular apertures and the crowns of i said teeth being laterally spaced to define respective gaps connecting said apertures; and a locking screw threaded into said inner section bottom, said screw having a shank of enlarged diameter and a head of further enlarged diameter with an annular radial shoulder at the base of said shank, said shank having an axial height less than the thickness of said bottom web and being receivable in a selected one of said apertures with said shoulder seated against said bottom web so as to lock said beam sections to one another in a selected length adjustment of said bridge, said screw being operable, by unthreading movement to withdraw said shank from an aperture until the inner end of the shank clears the under face of said bottom web whereupon said screw can be passed through one of said gaps to register said shank with another of said apertures.

2. A skate as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner beam section is of rectangular box-beam form, including a bottom web having an upwardly projecting internally threaded boss into which said screw is threaded.

3. A skate as defined in' claim 1, wherein said shank has a frusto-conical wall which is engageable snugly be tween adjacent teeth of said bottom web when said head is seated against said bottom web.

4. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising an inner beam section; an outer box-beam section in which said inner beam' section is slidably telescoped; mobile supports carrying the remote ends of said beam sections; said outer beam section having a web in bearing engagement with a wall of said inner section and having in said web a longitudinally extending series of pairs of laterally opposed pointed truncated teeth collectively defining a longitudinally extending slot therein, the side margins of said teeth defining respective segmental circular apertures and the crowns of said teeth being laterally spaced to define respective gaps connecting said apertures; and a locking screw threaded into said inner section, said screw having a shank of enlarged diameter and a head of further enlarged diameter with an annular radial shoulder at the base of said shank, said shank having an axial height less than the thickness of said web and being receivable in a selected one of said apertures with said shoulder seated against said web so as to lock said beam sections to one another 'in a selected length-adjustment of said bridge, said screw being operable, by unthreading movement, to withdraw said shank from an aperture until the inner end of the shank clears the outer face of said web whereupon said screw can be passed through one of said gaps to register said shank with another of said apertures.

5. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising an inner beam section; an outer box-beam section in which said inner beam section is slidably telescoped; mobile supports carrying the remote ends of said beam sections; said outer beam section having a web in bearing engagement with a wall of said inner 8 section and having in said web a longitudinally extending series of pairs of laterally opposed pointed, truncated teeth collectively defining a longitudinally extending slot therein, the side margins of said teeth defining respective segmental circular apertures and the crowns of said teeth being laterally spaced to define respective gaps connecting said apertures; and a locking screw threaded into said inner section, said screw having a shank of enlarged diameter and a head of further enlarged diameter, said shank having an axial height not substantially greater than the thickness of said web and being receivable in a selected one of said apertures so as to lock said beam sections to one another in a selected length-adjustment of said bridge, said screw being operable, by unthreading movement to withdraw said shank from an aperture until the inner end of the shank clears the under face of said web whereupon said screw can be passed through one of said gaps to register said shank with another of said apertures,

6. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective beam: sections having respective slide means interengaging to provide a slidingly extensible connection therebetween; a pair of shoe-coupling jaws, one of which is secured to a respective beam section and the other of which includes means mounting it upon the other beam section for longitudinalsections being of box-section'having respective pairs of webs in slidable contact, a web of the inner section having an integral internally threaded collar struck inwardly, the adjoining web of the outer section having'a slot defined between pairs of'laterally opposed teeth in the respective web of said inner beam section, said slot being composed of a succession of apertures joined by narrowed connecting gap between said teeth; and a screw threaded into said collar and having a short shank receivable in one of said apertures with a positive locking action between adjoining pairs of said teeth, said shank being adapted, upon unthreading said screw, to be retracted from said slot to a position where its inner end clears the outer face of the slotted wall member, and said screw thereupon being adapted to pass through one or more of said gaps in response to relative sliding movement between said box-beam sections, and to relocate said shank in registration with another of said apertures into which said shank may be inserted to again lock said box-beam section to one another in a new position of adjustment.

7. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective beam sections having respective slide means interengaging to provide a slidingly extensible connection therebetween; a pair of shoecoupling jaws, one of which is secured to a respective beam section and the other of which includes means mounting it upon the other beam section for longitudinally slidable adjustment thereon; spring means connected under tension between said other jaw and said other beam section, for spring-loading said other jaw against a respective extremity of a skaters shoe or foot, said beam sections being of box-section having respective pairs of webs i1 slidable contact, a web of the inner section having an integral internally threaded collar struck inwardly, the adjoining web of the outer section having a slot defined between laterally opposed sections of the respective web of said inner beam section; and a locking screw threaded into said collar, slidable in said slot when loosened, and engageable with said web sections when tightened, so as to lock said box-beam sections to one another in selected position of adjustment.

8. ln an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and longitudinal lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of said side webs and laterally spaced to define longitudinal medial slots, said inner section being telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto by overlapping of the lips of said outer section over the lips of the inner section, and a fastener coacting with adjacent parts of said box-beam sections to secure them together in any selected position of extension of said bridge, said box-beam sections being disposed in forward and rear positions respectively; respective toe and heel coupling units mounted on the remote ends of said box-beam sections; said box-beam sections having at their respective remote ends, ramps formed as integral extensions of their respective bottom webs and inclined upwardly to their respective ends; pairs of parallel integral mounting ears struck downwardly from the respective ramps in downwardlydiverging relation to one another and at right angles to the respective ramps; wheel mounts embraced between and coupled to the ears of the respective pairs, the rearmost mounting ear comprising a full-width portion of a respective ramp integrally joined thereto by a bend, and the respective wheel mount including a mounting lip projecting upwardly, havin a transverse upper margin in spaced adjacent relation to the respective ramp and having corner portions engageable with the respective ramp adjacent the respective bend for limiting lateral tilting of the bridge with reference to the respective wheel mount, one of said coupling units having means connecting it to its respective box-beam section for longitudinal sliding movement thereon, and having a spring anchor element projecting downwardly through one of said medial slots into the interior of said bridge; and a coil spring connected under tension between said anchor element and said box-beam section and spring-loading said one coupling unit for yielding engagement of a wearers foot.

9. in an adjustabledength skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and longitudinal lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of said side walls and laterally spaced to define longitudinal spaces, said inner section being telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto by overlapping of the lips of said outer section over the lips or" the inner section, said outer section having a longitudinal slot in its said bottom web, and a screw fastener extending through said slot and having parts coacting with adjacent parts of said bottom webs to clamp them together in any selected position of extension of said bridge, said box-bearn sections being disposed in forward and rear positions respectively; and respective toe and heel coupling units mounted on the remote ends of said box-beam sections, said toe coupling unit including a horizontal toe platform and a stirrup marginally secured thereto; said forward box-beam section having its forward end provided with laterally outwardly projecting slide flanges, said toe platform having slideways of L-section struck downwardly therefrom and embracing said slide llanges so as to couple said toe platform to said forward box-beam section for relative sliding movements between them; and a coil spring connected under tension between said toe coupling unit and said forward box-beam section, loading said toe coupling unit for retracting movement into yielding pressure engagement with a toe inserted into said toe coupling unit.

it). In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs and vertical side walls extending upwardly therefrom, and longitudinal lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of the side walls of said outer box-beam section and laterally spaced to define a longitudinal space, said inner section being telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto by slidable bearing engagement of the lips of said outer section over the upper margins of the inner section, said outer section having a longitudinal slot in its said bottom web, a screw fastener extending through said slot and having parts coacting with adjacent parts of said bottom webs to clamp them together in any selected position of extension of said bridge, said box-beam sections, at their remote ends, being formed with pair of integral, laterally outwardly projecting wings; a pair of toe and heel coupling units, each including a platform section comprising a horizontal metal plate, one of which is welded to one pair of said wings, and the other of which is a slidable section including means providing a longitudinally slidable connection with the other pair of said wings; and a coil spring disposed within a channel space defined by said box-beam sections and connected under tension between one of said sections and said slidable platform section, for spring-loading the corresponding coupling unit for yielding pressure engagement with a foot extremity engaged thereby, said slidable connection means comprising laterally-opposed slideways of L- form in transverse section, struck downwardly from said slidable platform section, and embracing and underlapping the corresponding pair of wings, with the body of said slidable platform section seated upon the upper faces of said wings, and with said slideways bearing against the underfaces of said wings.

ii. A skate as defined in claim ltl, wherein said slidable connection means further includes laterally-opposed bearing tabs in bearing engagement with the side margins of said corresponding pair of wings, there being two pairs of said slideways and two pairs of said bearing tabs, in alternating array, longitudinally of said slidable platform section.

12. in an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and longi tudinal lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of said side webs and laterally spaced to define longitudinal spaces, said inner section being telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in C0- axial relation thereto by overlapping of the lips of said outer section over the lips of the inner section, said outer section having a longitudinal slot in one of its said webs, and a screw fastener extending through said slot and having parts coacting with adjacent parts of said box-beam sections to clamp them together in any selected position of extension of said bridge, said box-beam sections being disposed in forward and rear positions respectively; re spective toe and heel coupling units; means securing one of said coupling units to an outer end of one of said boxbeam sections; a longitudinally slidable connection mounting the other of said coupling units on the outer end of the other box-beam section; a spring anchor on a marginal lip of said other box-beam section, projecting inwardly through one of said longitudinal spaces; a second spring anchor on said other coupling unit; and a coil spring connected under tension between said anchors and springloading said other coupling unit toward said one coupling unit for yielding clamping of a wearers foot between said coupling units.

13. In an adjustable-length, spring-loaded coupling skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections each including a rectangular channel portion defining three sides thereof and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal, marginal lips projecting toward one another from two of said sides and defining between them a longitudinal space, said inner section being telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto by overlapping of the lips of said outer section over the lips of the inner section, a pair of shoe-coupling jaws, one of which is secured to a respective beam section and the other of which includes means mounting it upon the other beam section'for longitudinal 1y slidable adjustment thereon; an anchor tab integral with one of the lips of said outer beam section and projecting through the longitudinal space of the inner beam section; an anchor tab fixed to said one coupling jaw and projecting into said channel space; and a coil spring connected under tension between said anchor tabs and spring loading said one coupling jaw for yielding engagement with a wearers foot.

14-. A skate as defined in claim 13, including releasable fastener means for securing said beam sections to one another in selected positions of shoe-sizing adjustment.

15. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and longitudinal lipsprojecting inwardly from the upper margins of said side, webs and laterally spaced to define longitudinal spaces, said inner section being telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in axial relation thereto by overlapping of the lips of said outer'section over the lips of the inner section, the lips of one beam section terminating short of the outer end thereof, said one beam section having a pair of integral wings projecting laterally outwardly from the upper margins of its side webs in the areas between the ends of said last mentioned lips and the outer end of said one beam's'ection; a pair of shoe coupling units embodying respective platform parts and respective toe and heel coupling jaws extending upwardly therefrom, one of said units having its platform part seated on and fixed to said wings; slide means connecting the platform part of the other coupling unit to the other beam section for longitudinally slidable adjustment thereon; anchor tabs integral with said slidable platform part and with a lip of said other beam section respectively'and projecting downwardly through at least one of said longitudinal spaces into a channel space defined within said beam sections; releasable fastener means for securing said beam sections in selected positions of relative adjustment; and a coil spring disposed in said channel space, connected under tension between said anchor tabs, and spring-loading said other coupling unit for yielding engagement with an extremity of a wearers foot.

16. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and longitudinal lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of said side webs and laterally spaced to define longitudinal spaces, said inner section being telescoped and for yielding engagement with an extremity of a wearers foot; t I t 17. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and longitudinal lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of said side webs and laterally spaced to define longitudinal spaces, said inner section being telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer 'section and confined in coaxial relation thereto by overlapping of the lips of said outer section over the lips of the inner section;

, releasable fastener means for securing said beam sections in selected positions of adjustment, fixed to one another; a pair of shoe-coupling units embodying respective platform units and respective toe and heel coupling jaws projecting upwardly therefrom, one of said coupling units having its respective platform part fixedly mounted on the outer end portion of one of said beam sections;

the platform part of the other coupling unit being mounted for longitudinally slidable adjustment on said other beam section; spring means acting between said other coupling unit and said other beam section for spring-loading said other coupling unit for yielding engagement with an extremity of a wearers foot; said box beam sections having, at their respective remote ends, ramps formed as integral extensions of their respective bottom webs, inclined upwardly to their respective ends;

pairs of parallel mounting ears integral with and struck downwardly from the respective ramps at right angles thereto; wheel mounts embraced between the ears of the respective pairs; and pivot pins extending transversely through the ears of the respective pairs and through the longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto by overlapping of the lips of said outer section over the lips of the inner section; a

pair of shoe-coupling units embodying respective platform parts and respective toe and heel coupling jaws projecting upwardly therefrom, one of said coupling units having its respective platform part fixedly mounted on the outer end portion of one of said beam sections; the lips of the other beam section terminating short of the outer end thereof; a pair of slide flanges formed integrally with the upper longitudinal margins of the side webs of said other beam section in the area between the ends of its respective lips and its outer end, the platform part'of the other coupling unit having respective slideways of L- section struck downwardly therefrom and slidably coupled to said flanges for'longitudinally slidable adjustment on said other beam section; anchor tabs integral with said slidable platform part and with a lip of said other beam section respectively and projecting downwardly through at least one of said longitudinal spaces into a channel space defined within said beam sections; releasable fastener means for securing said beam sections in selected positions of relative adjustment; and a coil spring disposed in said channel space, connectedunder tension between said respective wheel mounts.

18. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective forward and rear beam sections having respective slide means interengaging to provide a longitudinally slidingly extensible connection therebetween; means; for securing said beam sections to one another in selected positions of extension, for sizing the skate to'feet of varyingisizes; a heel platform mounted upon and secured to the rear beam section; a toe platform having means mounting it upon the forward beam section for longitudinally slidable adjustment thereon; a pair of shoe-coupling jaws consisting of a single toe jaw'and a single heel jaw, each of integral yoke form secured to a respective platform, said jaws being shaped for reception of respective toe and heel portions of a shoe or foot and for a lateral confining action thereon free of lateral clamping action; and spring means acting between said toe platform and said forward beam section, for spring-loading said toejaw against a toe extremity whereby to effect spring-loaded longitudinal clamping action of the respective jaws against a shoe or foot.

19. A skate as defined in claim 18, wherein said toe jaw is of stirrup form and said heel jaw is of rigid strap form, arched upwardly and rearwardly and having at its upper extremity a median web portion slanted downwardly and rearwardly for overhanging engagement'of an upper rear portion of a shoe heel.

- 20. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible. bridge comprising respective beam sections having respective slide means intereng aging to provide a 'slidingly extensible connection therebetween; a pair of shoe-coupling jaws, one of which is secured to a respective beam section and the other of which includes means foot, said beam sections being of box-section having respective pairs of webs in slidable contact, an internally anchor tabs, and spring-loading said other coupling unit threaded bore in a web of the inner section, the adjoining web of the outer section having a slot defined between pairs of laterally opposed teeth in the respective web of said inner beam section, said slot being composed of a succession of apertures joined by narrow connecting gaps between said teeth; and a screw threaded into said internally threaded bore and having a short shank section receivable in one of said apertures with a positive locking action between adjoining pairs of said teeth, said shank being adapted, upon unthreading said screw, to be retraced from said slot to a position where its inner end clears the outer face of the slotted wall member, and said screw thereupon being adapted to pass through one or more of said gaps in response to relative sliding movement between said box-beam sections, and to relocate said shank in registration with another of said apertures into which said shank may be inserted to again lock said box-beam section to one another in a new position of adjustment.

21. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and integral lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of the side webs of said outer section and slidably bearing against the upper margains of the side webs of said inner section, whereby said inner section is telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto; said outer section having a longitudinal slot in its said bottom web, and a screw fastener extending through said slot and having parts coacting with adjacent parts of said bottom webs to clamp them together in any selected position of extension of said bridge, said box-beam sections being disposed in forward and rear positions respectively; and respective toe and heel coupling units mounted on the remote ends of said box-beam sections, said toe coupling unit including a horizontal toe platform and a stirrup marginally secured thereto; said forward boxbeam section having its forward end provided with laterally outwardly projecting slide flanges, said toe platform having slideways of L-section struck downwardly therefrom and embracing said slide flanges so as to couple said toe platform to said forward box-beam section for relative sliding movements between them; and a coil spring connected under tension between said toe coupling unit and said forward box-beam section, loading said too coupling unit for retracting movement into yielding pressure engagement with a toe inserted into said toe coupling unit.

22. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical slide webs extending upwardly therefrom, and integral lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of the said webs of said outer section and slidably bearing against the upper margins of the side Webs of said inner section, whereby said inner section is telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto; releasable fastener means for securing said beam sections in selected positions of adjustment, fixed to one another; a pair of shoe-coupling units embodying respective platform units and respective toe and heel coupling jaws projecting upwardly therefrom, one of said coupling units having its respective platform part fixedly mounted on the outer end portion of one of said beam sections; the platform part of the other coupling unit being mounted for longitudinally slidable adjustment on said other beam section; spring means acting between said other coupling unit and said other beam section for spring-loading said other coupling unit for yielding engagement with an extremity of a wearers foot; said box beam sections having, at their respective remote ends, ramps formed as integral extensions of their respective bottom webs, inclined upwardly to their respective ends; pairs of parallel mounting ears integral with and struck downwardly from the respective ramps at right angles thereto; wheel mounts embraced between the cars of the respective pairs; and pivot pins extending transversely through the ears of the respective pairs and through the respective wheel mounts.

23. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and integral lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of the side webs of said outer section and slidably bearing against the upper margins of the side webs of said inner section, whereby said inner section is telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confiined in coaxial relation thereto; a pair of shoe-coupling jaws, one of which is secured to a respective beam section and the other of which includes a platform mounted upon the other beam section for longitudinally slidable adjustment thereon; a coil spring disposed longitudinally in the channel space defined within said beam sections; and means attaching the respective ends of said spring to said siidably mounted jaw and to said other beam section respectively, said last means including an anchor on the bottom of said jaw platform, projecting downwardly into said channel space.

24. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and integral lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of the side webs of said outer section and slidably bearing against the upper margins of the side webs of said inner section, whereby said inner section is telesooped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto; means for securing said beam sections to one another in selected positions of extension, for sizing the skate to feet of varying sizes; a heel platform mounted upon and secured to the rear beam section; a toe platform having means mounting it upon the forward beam section for longitudinally slidable adjustment thereon; a pair of shoe-coupling jaws consisting of a single toe jaw and a single heel jaw, each of integral yoke form secured to a respective platform, said jaws being shaped for reception of respective toe and heel portions of a shoe or foot and for a lateral confining action thereon free of lateral clamping action; a coil spring disposed longitudinally within said beam sections; and means attaching the respective ends of said spring to said forward beam section and to said toe platform respectively, said spring acting under tension for spring-loading said toe jaw against a toe extremity whereby to effect spring-loaded longitudinal clamping action of the respective jaws against a shoe or foot.

'25. In an adjustable-length skate, in combination: an extensible bridge comprising respective inner and outer box-beam sections having respective bottom webs, vertical side webs extending upwardly therefrom, and integral lips projecting inwardly from the upper margins of the side webs of said outer section and slidably bearing against the upper margins of the side webs of said inner section, whereby said inner section is telescoped and longitudinally slidable in said outer section and confined in coaxial relation thereto; releasable fastener means for securing said beam sections to one another in selected positions of extension, for sizing the skate to feet of varying sizes; a pair of shoe-coupling jaws, one of which is secured in fixed relation to the inner beam section and the other of which includes means mounting it upon the outer beam section for longitudinally slidable adjustment thereon; an anchor tab integral with one of the lips of said outer beam section and projecting into a channel space defined within said beam sections; an anchor on said one coupling jaw projecting into said channel space; and a coil spring disposed longitudinally within said chanj References Cited by the Examiner:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/85 Cornelius 280-1128 X 3/26 Davis 280-1126 6/26 Gravely 280-1126 4/32 Gregory 280-1119 5/32 Coldwell 280-1126 11/33 Hast 280-1126 6 11/35 .Smith 280-1126 10/36 Pardon et a1. 280-1128 1/37 Knapp 280-1126 12/37 Tappe 280-1131 6/50 Wooley 280-1126 '4/54 OWsen et a1. 280-1128 11/56 Rinkinen 36-45 FOREIGN PATENTS 12/ 07 Switzerland. 12/ 32 Germany. 12/ 39 France.

BENJAMEN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

A. HARRY LEVY, Examiner. 

18. IN AN ADJUSTABLE-LENGTH SKATE, IN COMBINATION: AN EXTENSIBLE BRIDGE COMPRISING RESPECTIVE FORWARD AND REAR BEAM SECTIONS HAVING RESPECTIVE SLIDE MEANS INTERENGAGING TO PROVIDE A LONGITUDINALLY SLIDINGLY EXTENSIBLE CONNECTION THEREBETWEEN; MEANS FOR SECURING SAID BEAM SECTIONS TO ONE ANOTHER IN SELECTED POSITIONS OF EXTENSION, FOR SIZING THE SKATE TO FEET OF VARYING SISZES; A HEEL PLATFORM MOUNTED UPON AND SECURED TO THE REAR BEAM SECTION; A TOE PLATFORM HAVING MEANS MOUNTING IT UPON THE FORWARD BEAM SECTION FOR LONGITUDINALLY SLIDABLE ADJUSTMENT THEREON; A PAIR OF SHOE-COUPLING JAWS CONSISTING OF A SINGLE TOE JAW AND A SINGLE HEEL JAW, EACH OF INTEGRAL YOKE FORM SECURED TO A RESPECTIVE PLATFORM, SAID JAWS BEING SHAPED FOR RECEPTION OF RESPECTIVE TOE AND HEEL PORTIONS OF A SHOE OR FOOT AND FOR A LATERAL CONFINING ACTION THEREON FREE OF LATERAL CLAMPING ACTION; AND SPRING MEANS ACTING BETWEEN SAID TOE PLATFORM AND SAID FORWARD BEAM SECTION, FOR SPRING-LOADING SAID TOE JAW AGAINST A TOE EXTREMITY WHEREBY TO EFFECT SPRING-LOADED LONGITUDINAL CLAMPING ACTION OF THE RESPECTIVE JAWS AGAINST A SHOE OR FOOT. 